304 



THE SEA. 



having been the first Englishman to sail over the waters of the blue Pacific. In 

 this pinnace he went to the Pearl Islands, and lay in wait for vessels. He was 

 successful in capturing a small bark, bringing gold from Quito, and scarcely a week later, 

 another with silver from Lima. He also obtained a few pearls on the islands. 



So far, fortune had followed Oxenham, and to his own want of caution is due the 

 fact that this prosperous state of affairs was soon reversed. He had dismissed his prizes 



OXENHAM EMBARKING ON THE PACIFIC. 



when near the mouth of the river, and had allowed them to perceive where he was entering. 

 The alarm was soon given; first, indeed, by some negroes who hastened to Panama. 

 Juan de Ortega was immediately dispatched with 100 men, besides negro rowers, in four 

 barks. After entering the river, a four days' search rewarded him by the discovery of the 

 pinnace with six Englishmen on board, who leaped ashore and ran for dear life ; one only 

 was killed at this juncture. Ortega discovered in the woods the hut in which Oxenham 

 had concealed the treasure, and removed it to his barks. Meantime, Oxenham, whose men 

 had been disputing over the division of spoils, had been to a distance for the purpose of 

 inducing some of the Maroon negroes to act as carriers, and returning with them, met the 

 men who had escaped from the pinnace, and those who were fleeing from the hut. "The 

 loss of their booty at once completed their reconcilement; he promised larger shares if they 



